Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1887-12-08
TIE AGRICULTURAL BUREAU.

svnonsf. ~ HE ANIMAL Report of Commits
y sioner Colanan The Worsesof the Bureau
or Animal Industry In Stamping Out
Pluero-Pneumoaia. Etc.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-The annual re-
port Of the Commissioners OF Agriculture
has been laid before the President.
The commissioner recommends substantially
the abolition OF the seed division of the depart
ment and the transfer of its duties TO the state
and Territorial experiment stations. Inc oi-
rectors OF these institutions he says, ougnt 70
know what kind of seed the farmers OF their
respective neighborhoods are Interested IN,
and what kinds are best adapted to eacn iocaii-
ty
The commissioner discusses the scope ana
functions of the department in way VINCE
leaves room for the plain inference that he dis
approves the efforts to make IT an executive ue-
partment with member OF the CaDinet at us
head. The departments position, he thinks,
should be that of an adviser in those fnvestiga-
tions and enterprises which bear upon the agri-
cultural interests of the country.
The commissioner says 1t is yet too early 10
make an official statement OF the results in de-
tail of the present years experiments in the
development of sorghum sugar manufacture:
"but,c he adds, .'enough is known already,
think to enable this country to anticipate at
an early date the production OF sugar supply
from plant as easy OF cultivation as corn,
but little circumscribed by climate influences,
and one whose by-products have q value equal
to the cost OF raising
The work OF the Bureau of Animal Industry,
the report says, has been greatly extended dur
ing the past year. The Governors az thirty-one
States and Territories have accepted the rules
and regulations OF the bureau and promised the
assistance of local police officers to secure
their enforcement. In addition the Legisia-
lures CT Rhode Island, Virginia, New York and
Illinois have enacted laws providing for CO.
operation The worst infected counties. the
report says, and those from which there
was most danger OF the spread
Of the disease, viz, those in the neigh
borhood of New York, Chicago and Baltimore,
have been placed in quarantine, and no cattle
allowed to leave them without a permit issued
after a special examination. By this means
new outbreaks have been almost entirely pre-
vented. .s,ez sstt
From the beginning Of the work for the
eradication of this disease, in August, 1886.
to October 81, 1887, the inspectors of the
bureau have inspected 1887 herds, contain
ing 111.400 animals, in districts where
the plague was supposed to exist Among
these there were found 79S infected
herds, containing 10,TG5 animals, of which
2.2S5 were affected with pleuro-pneumonia-
These figures do not include 2S13 head OF cat
tie in the distillery stables of Chicago, nearly
half of which were diseased. The number Of
animals found affected with the disease and
the number of infected head were much great
er than had been anticipated, and the work for
its control has consequently required CORE
spondingly larger force and greater expenditure
of money Our progress, however, has been
very satisfactory, and the appropriation has
been found sufficient to meet the demands
which have been made upon 1t.
The commissioner expresses regret at the I'M
avodable loss inflicted on the farmers of ILL
nois by the cattle quarantine, and adds: There
has not been n time in years when this malady
has been confined to such restricted area as a
present, and consequently thet conditions are
very favorable for it's complete eradication. II
the State authorities continue their co-opera-
ton at present, which there Is every reason
to expect, and if an appropriation is made by
Congress equal to that of the present fiscal year,
and with authority for its similar use, it is be-
ieved that this dangerous plague can be ex-
terminated by the end OF the next fiscal year"
In his chapter upon the departments expert
nnents in silk-reelng the commissioner says the
experiments have not yet reached the point of
paying their own expenses, but that was hardly
to be hoped for with plant so limited. An
other years experience, it is expected, will
show what could be done under favorable con-
ditions. &fY
The commissioner describes at some length
the work of the chronological, statistical,
microscepical, forestry and other divisions, and
sets forth the usefulness OF their accomplish
ments
He recommends that the Public Printer be
authorized to furnish to the agricultural press
of the country, at the mere cost of labor and
material, electrotypes of such illustrations Of
the department as the editors may desire, hold
ing that many of these merit much wider cir
culation than they can get In the reports of the
department.
The commissioner says the building of reser-
voirs among the Rocky mountains for the stor-
age of an immense velume of water now wasted
should command the early attention of Con.
gress.